Freeindia > Tourism > India - Destination Of The New Millennium > The West > Maharastra
Introduction
Sprawling across 30,000 rugged kilometres of Western India, Maharashtra is the third largest state in the country. Naturally bound by it's physical features, the region is one of remarkable diversity with the 700 kms long narrow Konkan Coast, the mountain ranges of the Western Ghats and the dry deciduous zones of the Vidarbha. It is a land of old fortresses, rock cut caves rich with murals and sculpture, of beautiful hill resorts and beaches and various animal and bird sanctuaries. It's capital Mumbai (Bombay) makes it not only one of the most important states economically. but also a major arrival point for overseas visitors.
Freeindia > Tourism > India - Destination Of The New Millennium > The West > Maharastra
Mumbai
Gateway to India and capital of Maharashtra, Mumbai, India's commercial capital and it's economic nerve centre, is also a bustling metropolis.
How to reach: Mumbai is well linked by all major international and domestic airlines with important cities/towns in the world as well in India. Regular trains connect Mumbai with major cities and towns all over the country. It is also connected by good motorable roads.
Where to stay: A wide range of accommodation ranging from the budget category to luxury hotels is available in Mumbai. Some of the luxury and business class hotels are - The Leela, Taj Mahal Hotel. Taj President, The Oberoi & Oberoi Towers, Centaur & Centaur Juhu. The Retreat, The Resort, Holiday Inn, Marine Plaza. The Orchid. Ramada Palm Grove, Sea Princess, Sun-n Sand, The Ambassador, Ritz, Fariyas Hotel, etc.
What to see: Aarey Milk Colony (35 kms). Afghan Church, Borivili National Park (41 kms), Chowpatty Beach, Elephanta Caves (9 kms by sea), Gateway of India, Ghodbunder, Gorai Beach (59 kms). Hap Ali Mosque. ISKCON Temple. Jain Temple, Juhu Beach. Kamla Nehru Park. Kanheri Caves (42 kms), Madh, Marve & Manori Beaches (30 kms), Mahalaxmi Temple, Mani Bhavan. Nehru Planetarium, Prince of Wales Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum (Bhau Daji Lad Museum), Essel World, Fantasy Land, Great Escape.
Excursions: Ambarnath, Karnala Bird Sanctuary, Bassein Fort, Ganeshpuri, Vajreshwari Hot Springs, Lonavala, Khandaia, Matheran, Tansa Lake & Wildlife Sanctuary Malsej Ghat, Kihim, Alibi, Kashid, Murud-Janjira, Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani.
Freeindia > Tourism > India - Destination Of The New Millennium > The West > Maharastra
Aurangabad-Ajanta-Ellora
Aurangabad is a convenient base for visiting Ellora (29 kms) and Ajanta Caves (104 kms).
How to reach: Aurangabad is connected by air with Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Udaipur. It is directly linked by rail with Bhopal, Delhi, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Mumbai etc. Motorable road connect Aurangabad with Ahmedabad-623 Kms Delhi-1371 Kms, Hyderabad-536 Kms, Hyderabad-536 Kms, Mumbai-392 Kms, Nashik-221 kms, Pune-229 Kms.
Where to stay: Welcomgroup Rama International, Ajanta Ambassador, Taj Residency, Aurangabad Ashok, President Park, Khemi's Inn, Quality Inn Vedant, MTDC Holiday Resort in Aurangabad, Kailash Hotel near the Ellora Caves, MTDC Travellers Lodge at Ajanta and MTDC Holiday Resort at Fardapur near the Ajanta Caves. A wide range of medium priced hotels and budget accommodation is also available.
What to see: Aurangabad Caves, Bibi ka Maqbara and Panchakki in Aurangabad, beautifully carved Hindu, Jain & Buddhist Caves including the exquisite Kailasa Temple at Ellora and 30 rock hewn Buddhist caves at Ajanta.
Excursions: Daulatabad Fort, Khuldabad, Grishneshwar Temple, Paithan, Pithalkhora Caves, Lonar Crater.
Freeindia > Tourism > India - Destination Of The New Millennium > The West > Maharastra
Kolhapur
Held in high esteem for it's sacred shrine of Mahalaxmi. Kolhapur is often referred to as "Dakshin Kashi" or Kashi of the South.
How to reach: Kolhapur is connected by air with Mumbai and is a railhead on the Pune-Miraj-Kolhapur section of the South Central Railway It is situated on the Pune - Bangalore Highway and is well connected by a network of roads. It is 395 kms from Mumbai, 225 kms from Pune and 128 kms from Ratnagiri.
Where to stay: Hotel Pearl. Tourist, Woodlands, Shalini Palace and other medium priced and budget hotels available in Kolhapur. MTDC Holiday Resort at Panhala (23 kms).
What to see: Ambabai or Mahalaxmi Temple, Kotiteerth, Old Palace, Panchganga, Rankala Lake, Shalini Palace, Shahu Museum.
Excursions: Panhala, Battis Shirala, Radhanagri Wildlife Sanctuary, Dajipur Sanctuary, Amboli, Vishalgarh Fort.
Freeindia > Tourism > India - Destination Of The New Millennium > The West > Maharastra
Nagpur
The old capital of the Bhonsle rulers and of the former Central Provinces, Nagpur is today the second capital of Maharashtra.
How to reach: Nagpur is connected by air with major cities in the country and is an important rail junction on the Central and South-Eastern lines. It is also well connected by a good network of roads with other parts of the country.
Where to stay: Hotels Centre Point, Hardeo, Jagsons, The Pride, Royal Palace as well as a range of medium priced hotels and budget accommodation also available.
What to see: Ambazari Lake and Garden. Central Museum, Gandhi Baug, Maharaj Baug and Zoo, Nagarkhana, Sitabuldi Fort, Seminary Hills.
Excursions: Ramtek, Pench National Park, Paunar Ashram, Sevagram, Wardha, Bor Wildlife Sanctuary, Nawegaon National Park, Tadoba National Park.
Freeindia > Tourism > India - Destination Of The New Millennium > The West > Maharastra
Nashik
Considered a holy city by the Hindus, Nashik lies on the banks of the river Godavari. The Kumbh Mela is held here once in every 12 years.
How to reach: The nearest airport is Mumbai (178 kms). Nashik Road (8 kms), on the central line, is the nearest railhead, linked with important cities/towns. Nashik is connected by motorable roads with Aurangabad, Pune, Mumbai, Nagpur and other cities/towns in the country.
Where to stay: Hotels Taj Residency, The Plaza, Quality Inn Regency, Panchavati, Panchavati Elite Inn, Wasan's Inn, Holiday Club. Medium priced hotels and budget accommodation also available at Nashik and Shirdi.
What to see: Chambar Leni, Muktidham, Naroshankar Temple, Panchvati, Ramkund, Someshwar Temple, Tapovan. Excursions from Nashik are DevIali, Trimbakeshwar (one of the 12 jyotirlingas), Igatpuri, Bhandardara and Shirdi (123 kms).
Freeindia > Tourism > India - Destination Of The New Millennium > The West > Maharastra
Pune
Once the bastion of the powerful Maratha Empire, Pune is today an important commercial, Industrial and educational centre.
How to reach: Pune is connected by air with Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai and is a railhead on the Central Railway line connected with all major cities in India. It is also linked with good motorable roads.
Where to stay: Pune offers a wide range of accommodation, ranging from the deluxe (Blue Diamond, Pride Executive, Holiday Inn, Le Meridien, Aurora Towers, Sagar Plaza, Kohinoor Executive) to the economy.
In addition to the above, the Konkan Coast in Maharashtra is studded with long sandy beaches and riverside resorts - Chiplun, Ganapatipule, Srivardhan, Harihareshwar, Sindhudurg, Tarkarli, etc.
What to see: Agha Khan Palace / Kasturba Smarak, Bund Garden, Osho Ashram, Parvati Hills & Temples, Saras Baug, Shaniwar Wada, Raja Kelkar Museum.
Excursions: Ashta-Vinayak Temples, Sinhagad Fort, Alandi, Purandhar, Panshet Dam, Karla Caves, Lonavala - Khandala, Shivneri Fort, Panchgani, Bhimashankar, Mahabaleshwar, Raigad Fort.
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